Author: Bode
For Celeste
Monday, December 21st would have been my eldest sister’s 78th birthday. She was called home to be with our Lord on January 27th. Because our birthdays are very close to each other, we made a commitment to call each other around Thanksgiving and share birthday wishes. I will miss her voice and hearing her say… Continue Reading For Celeste
A Few of my Favorite Things
There are only 16 days until Christmas. And like so many others, I will celebrate our Savior’s birth very differently this year. A few weeks ago, I requested that pastors and faith communities share ideas about how to celebrate this Advent season, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the New Year, in order to post them… Continue Reading A Few of my Favorite Things
She Touched My Spirit
I can’t believe it’s December already. Like so many other years, now that we are in the last month, time seems to be speeding up. My days are far different than they were before the pandemic. Grocery shopping is no longer an after-work errand. I now arrive at the store around 7:00 am to pick… Continue Reading She Touched My Spirit
The Least
My son, Terrance, is now 27 years old. I missed the first three years of his life because he is adopted. When I considered adoption, there were numerous paths to pursue. There were private adoptions mediated by attorneys or agencies created for this purpose. Most of the children available through this avenue are infants. Because… Continue Reading The Least
Advent & Christmas Ideas in the time of COVID-19
We invite Midwest District churches to share ideas about how your church will be commemorating this special time in the Christian year. Your shared Advent/Christmas ideas will be posted on this page with links to additional materials and ideas developed by the Conference. Please share your Advent/Christmas ideas via email to Liz at [email protected]. Michigan… Continue Reading Advent & Christmas Ideas in the time of COVID-19
A Million Lights
I have been blessed to visit the Holy Land twice. The first time I went was in 2011. I was able to make a return journey in 2017. Both trips were far too short. There are so many places to see and so much to learn. The Scriptures truly come to life as you visit… Continue Reading A Million Lights
A Promise Kept
For some reason, when I was a little girl, I loved snow. Growing up in Cleveland, winters were brutal. Our family lived on the border of the snowbelt. There were times when we would receive 4 inches more than my aunt who lived less than 2 miles away. It wasn’t the snowfall I remembered as… Continue Reading A Promise Kept
I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar
I have a few routines that I’ve been trying to maintain over the past few months. One of them is watching professional football. This year has been very fascinating. Like baseball, cutouts have replaced real people in several stadia. A limited number of fans have been allowed in a few arenas. Mixed with the taped… Continue Reading I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar
The Semantics of Semantics
I have always been fascinated by language. When I was six, my mother took my sisters and me to Canada for the World Expo. That was my first introduction to French. I still remember our first meal at a restaurant. My mom spoke French with the waitress as if they were old friends. When she… Continue Reading The Semantics of Semantics
Midwest District Conference: October 17
The Midwest District Superintendent and the Midwest District Leadership Team encourage you to watch and share the video presentations below. Dismantling Racism Town Hall (streamed on July 1, 2020) This presentation is a panel discussion offered by UM Communications. It is one of the Dismantling Racism resources offered by the General United Methodist Church.… Continue Reading Midwest District Conference: October 17